Craig Stocks Arts Portrait and Wedding Photography in Delavan, Illinois
I have a passion to create, and I'm fascinated with the tools and technologies of creativity. I strive to create visually exciting images that excel as artistic renderings as well as technical achievements. I don't focus on just one type of photography. Instead, I apply the tools of composition, exposure, lighting and post processing to create images from a wide variety of genres, from wedding and portrait photography to landscape and lifestyle.
This winter, I had the honor of serving part time as a volunteer photographer for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco. It's a great way to support the National Park system while doing something I love to do. I also sell stock photos through a number of agencies, including iStockphoto and Shutterstock. Of course, I'm also available for freelance work and private photo sessions.
Browse through the portfolios on this website. If there's anything I can do for you, send me an e-mail or give me a call.
Want to know more about me? Check the following links:
Feature article about me in the Peoria, Illinois Journal Star
Article written by me and my wife for Health Care Traveler Magazine
Layers Magazine winner in "How Photoshop CS4 Saved the Day" contest
Best of Show in the Morton, Illinois Photography Contest (my parents shown accepting the award)
Samples from recent photo shoots
Background
I got started in photography in 1970 in a work/study program while a senior in high school. Then, in late 1971, I started working as a staff photographer at the Pekin Daily Times. It was a great place to learn and practice. We had daily assignments to hone our skills. We had the time to experiment. We did all sorts of photo assignments - portrait-style head shots, advertising products and interiors, posed groups, sports, aerials, and of course, news.
Apparently, we were somewhat ahead of our time as well. Today, there are numerous books and web sites encouraging photographers to learn about lighting. Most importantly, to learn to use off-camera strobes. Well, we were doing that on a a daily basis in the 1970's. I carried four strobes with me to every assignment, and learned to pre-visualize how they were going to light the subject - without the benefit of an LCD on the back of the camera.
In 1975, I went to work for a school portrait studio. The pay was better, but the work was very repetitive. Even doing senior portraits was based on a formula. It didn't take long to get burned out doing the same thing every day.
By the late 1970's, I was married and ready for a change. I went back to school, got a degree in mechanical engineering, and went to work for Caterpillar Inc. During my career at Caterpillar, I worked in a variety of planning and manufacturing management roles, including Planning Supervisor, Plant Technical Services Manager and Plant Manager. I was fortunate to be able to retire after 30 years and go back to the artistic pursuits I had loved when I was younger.
As illustrated in the composite below, I have a variety of creative outlets. I also enjoy music, metal artwork, and the great outdoors. You can read more about my artwork in an article published in the Peoria Journal Star.
Today, I enjoy doing all types of photography. In particular, I like that I'm not just following a formula for every photo. I can work with my customer to learn what's important to them, and what they want.
Stock Photography
I'm just beginning to do stock photography. I currently have a portfolio of available photos on iStockphoto, Shutterstock and Fotolia. I like the fact that I can essentially make up my own assignments.
Some of the most popular have been the ambulance photos. They were posed photos, using real EMT's as models. The "patient" in this photo is actually my father.
You can check out some of my stock images with the links below.
Landscape and Fine Art
Like many photographers, I enjoy nature and landscape photography.
I was particularly honored to be able to serve as the Artist in Residence at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument during the Spring of 2009.
Besides doing traditional landscape photography, I had the opportunity to work closely with the park's rangers to see behind the scenes. I also prepared and delivered a basic photography and Photoshop training package for the Interpretation staff and volunteers.
If you'd like to learn more about my experience in Arizona, my wife and I published an article in the June 2009 issue of Health Care Traveler magazine.
